Chapter 4

Edgar stormed out of Moon Goddess' Shrine and headed straight for the Alpha's castle.

I drifted behind him. He reached the doors and was about to force his way in when voices came from inside.

"It's my birthday next month," Fiona said sweetly. "Ryan, you'll celebrate with me, won't you?"

I passed through the wall.

By the fireplace, Fiona leaned against Ryan's shoulder. His hand rested around her waist.

"Of course." His voice was gentle. I had never heard him speak to me that way. "You can have anything you want."

"Anything?" Fiona looked up at him with sparkling eyes. "What about being marked as your mate?"

Ryan paused. "Anything except that."

Her expression stiffened. "Why? Didn't you say you'd find a way to dissolve your bond with Jennifer? Did you change your mind?"

"Why bring her up?" Ryan suddenly pulled away. He seemed visibly irritated.

"I'm just worried," Fiona said coyly. "After all, she's your fated mate chosen by the Moon Goddess. She's the Luna of this pack."

"Even the Moon Goddess can make mistakes." His voice turned cold. "You're more suitable than she is. Just wait a little longer."

"Wait for what?"

Ryan didn't answer. He stared into the fire that cast moving shadows on his face.

I waved my hand in front of him. He couldn't see me.

Fiona buried her face against his neck and said softly, "Then promise me this. On my birthday, announce our relationship publicly. I want everyone to know I'm the mate you chose."

Ryan was silent for a long time.

"Now isn't the right time."

"Why?" Fiona lifted her head. There was a displeased look in her eyes. "Do you still have feelings for her? She only knows how to scheme–"

"Enough." Ryan cut her off. "I'll handle it. On your birthday, I'll give you an answer."

Fiona studied his expression. Afraid of truly angering him, she forced herself to act obedient and nestled back into his arms.

After a moment of silence, she asked softly, "Ryan, if Jennifer really did come back one day, who would you choose?"

I looked at him too.

The fireplace crackled.

Ryan stared into the flames. The shadow cast on his face made him seem impossibly distant.

"Even if she came back, I wouldn't choose her," he said softly. It sounded almost as if he was speaking to himself.

"Why?"

"Because I already made my choice." He lowered his head to look at Fiona. He brushed his fingers against her cheek. "Fiona, you've always been my first choice."

At that moment, the door was pushed open.

Edgar stood at the entrance with bloodshot eyes.

"Edgar?" Ryan frowned. "You–"

"Alpha. These were recovered from Jennifer's body. She's dead." Edgar's voice was hoarse as he cut him off.

Ryan's expression went blank. "What did you say?"

"Jennifer is dead." Edgar stepped forward before tossing the autopsy report and the broken necklace fragment onto the table. "The lake cabin's underground cellar. She was tortured by rogues and killed with wolfsbane. Her face was disfigured after she died–"

Edgar paused. He forced out the next words with difficulty.

"And she was pregnant. Seven weeks. Your pup."

Fiona's face was drained of all color.

Ryan sat frozen in his seat while he stared at the evidence on the table.

The broken necklace glinted coldly under the firelight. The Moon Goddess emblem was unmistakable.

His lips moved, but no sound came out.

"Now, do you still think she was putting on an act?" Edgar asked.